Process and apparatus for the production of artificial fibers



Jan. 1, 1952 D. HORSAK 2,580,918

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL FIBRES Filed Aug. 4, 1947 INVENTOR.

MAM 4 5 Patented Jan. 1, 1952 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL FIBERS Drahom ir Horsak, Brunn, Czechoslovakia Application August-'4, 1947, Serial No. 766,102-

In Czechoslovakia March 14, 1947 1 7 Claims. 1 The present invention relates to improvements ina process and apparatus for the product on of artificial fibres. When producing artificial fibres nozzles are used the orifices of which have a diameter of a few hundredths r tenths of a millimeter and the manufacture of such nozzles is naturally extremely diflicult and costly. At present, therefore, artificial fibres of filaments are made almost exclusively by extrusion methods, often using the fibre-forming substances in dissolved form.

The main object of the invention is to obviate the necessity of using such costly appliances and particularly to provide a method and apparatus for making artificial fibres which can be practised in acheap and simple manner without using any extrusion nozzles; dies or other extrufibres to be wound directly therefrom onto a winding apparatus. The winding apparatus operates preferably with a greater velocity than the fibres are produced, so that the latter are at the same time stretched either as long as they are Warm or in a cold state.

If desired, the fibres may be produced intermittently by periodically removing the gib from contact with the fibre forming fluid supply.

By the process according to the invention a great variety of fibre forming substances may be used for the production of fibres in particular thermoplastics, such as polyamids, polyacrylates, polystyrenes, polyvinylchlorides, cellulose esters etc.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried out in practice, a practical embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, it being understood that the example is only illustrative without restricting the scope of the invention.

The figure illustrates a practical device for carrying out the invention. The fibre forming mass is brought from a suitable container to a spreading plate 25 over which it is brought Ill we revolving cylinder- 2! in a uniform layer. Another cylinder 28, parallel to cylinder 21,- is revolving around an axis 2!"). A'comb is secured at the end of a rotatable frame 3 l-3l-provided with counterweights 32-32. The arrangement is such that the comb rotates-continuously and during rotation strikes the adjacent surface of the roller2'l entraining thus with its points a certain quantity of the'fibre forming mass; The latter is thus drawn into fibres which during fur' ther rotation of the comb in the direction of arrow B are deposited on the rotating cylinder 28.

'The velocity of rotation of the cylinder 28 with respect to comb 30 determines the extent of stretching of the fibres obtained. Alternatively, the fibres may be entrained from the points of the comb 30 by a current of air and deposited on an endless belt, in'which case the comb would not be rotated continuously but instead would be oscillated back and forth into and out of contact with the roller 21. The comb may have a great number of points (500 and more) or a brush consisting of a large number of thin steel wires may be used instead. It is obvious that the described process of production may be also used for other materials than mentioned above, such as glass or the like and may be carried out in a suitable medium e. g. in gaseous nitrogen or carbon dioxide according to the characteristics of the polyamide or other material used, so as to prevent undesirable oxidation.

While I have disclosed the principles of my invention it will be understood that the present embodiment is given by way of example only and not as limiting the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method for producing artificial fibres, comprising the steps of spreading a continuous supply of a fibre-forming material uniformly on a receiving surface; rotating the latter to receive said material, and withdrawing fibres from said rotating surface by inserting a plurality of pointed elements at their pointed ends into the material on said surface and moving said pointed elements away from said surface.

2. An apparatus for the formation of fibres, comprising in combination a member having, a receiving surface; means for uniformly spreading a continuous supply of a fibre-forming material on said receiving surface; a comb member; means for rotatably supporting said comb member; and means forrevolving said comb member so as to bring it into and out of engagement with rotating member and pulling upon said the material on said receiving surface whereby fibres are formed by a pulling action.

3. An apparatus for the formation of fibres, comprising in combination, a vessel for containing a fibre-forming material; outlet means provided in said vessel; a member having a receiving surface adapted to receive the material passing through said outlet means; a roller; means for revolving said roller in engagement with the member having said receiving surface so as to uniformly spread on said roller a continuous supply of said fibre-forming material; a comb member; means for rotatably supporting said comb member; and means for revolving said comb member so as to bring it into and out of engagement with said roller whereby fibres are withdrawn therefrom and are formed by a pulling action.

4. A method of producing artificial fibers from;

a fiuid fiber forming mass of material, which consists in causing a continuous flow of said material to occur bygravity to a support; transferring the material on said support to a rotating member by rotating the latter in contact with the material on said support; and forming a plurality of fibers by rotating 2. gib having a row of teeth and bringing it first into contact with said rotating member and thereafter away from said fibers by rotation of said gib.

i 5. A method of producing artificial fibers from a fiuid fiber forming mass of material, which consists in causing a continuous fiow of said mate rialto occur by gravity to a support; transferring the material on said support to a rotating member by rotating the latter in contact with the material on said support; forming a plurality of fibers by rotating a gib having a row of teeth and bringing it first into contact with said rotatin'g member and thereafter away from said rotating member and pulling upon said fibers by rotation of said gib; and simultaneously winding up the fibers formed about a second rotatable member.

, fibers formed by each contact between said gib and said rotating member by rotating said gib.

'7. An apparatus for the formation of fibers, comprising in combination, a member having a receiving surface;'means for uniformly spreading a continuous supply of a fiber-forming material on'said receiving surface; a comb member; means 'for rotatably supporting said comb member;

means for revolving the comb member in order to bring it repeatedly into and out of contact with the material on the receiving surface of said member whereby to form fibers bya pulling action; and a winding device comprising a revoluble drum rotatable with said comb member about the axis of rotation of the latter for winding up the fibers formed by the pulling action of said comb member.

, DRAHoMiR HORSAK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record fileoi this patent: v

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

